Final Predictions for Who Will Make the Los Angeles Dodgers' Roster

With Opening Day less than a week away, it’s time to make one last guess at what manager Don Mattingly and general manager Ned Colletti will decide on for the final roster. 

There are still several players in contention for the final few spots, but by April 1, the number will have to be down to 25. 

Josh Beckett

Beckett is a lock to make the Dodgers’ roster this year. 

He will be making nearly $16 million this year, and was impressive enough last year (2-3, 2.93 ERA with the Dodgers) that his rotation spot is not in jeopardy. 

He will likely be the third starter, battling with Hyun-jin Ryu and Chad Billingsley. 

Ronald Belisario

Belisario will be a key member of the bullpen.  He is a strikeout machine, posting a career K/9 of 7.81. 

He will be one of the primary setup men for closer Brandon League.

Chad Billingsley

Billingsley is a bit of a question mark for the beginning of the season. 

He appears to be suffering no ill effects from his 2012 elbow troubles after opting not to undergo surgery this offseason, but he is battling a finger injury. 

However, right now, he looks likely to be ready for the beginning of the season.

Chris Capuano

Capuano will be one of the odd men out of the rotation this season despite having an excellent year in 2012 (12-12, 3.72 ERA). 

The additions of Josh Beckett late last year and Hyun-jin Ryu this offseason have made pitching depth a strength for the Dodgers. Capuano will likely begin the year in the bullpen.

Zack Greinke

Greinke, like Billingsley, is in doubt for Opening Day after suffering an elbow scare earlier in spring training. 

But also like Billingsley, he is confident that he will be ready for the beginning of the season.  If available, he will likely start the fourth game of the season versus Pittsburgh.

Matt Guerrier

Guerrier is unspectacular (career 3.47 ERA) but solid.  He will be a middle reliever for the Dodgers and pitch the sixth or seventh inning when called upon.

J.P. Howell

Howell signed with the Dodgers this offseason for $3 million. 

He will likely be the primary left-handed reliever for manager Don Mattingly, and it is a role he has experience in.  Over the course of his career, lefties have just a .674 OPS against him.

Kenley Jansen

Jansen will be the primary setup man in front of closer Brandon League. 

In addition, he appears to be getting better, as his walk rate has decreased in his three years in the big leagues: 5.00 in 2010, 4.36 in 2011 and 3.05 in 2012.

Clayton Kershaw

Kershaw is one of the best pitchers in all of baseball, and he is coming off a Cy Young Award in 2011 and the runner-up finish last season. 

He will deservedly start his third straight Opening Day and will anchor a rotation that is undoubtedly the Dodgers’ biggest strength.  If they hope to make a World Series run, he will have to be a huge part.

Brandon League

League was resigned this offseason for $22.5 million over three years and at the same time was handed the closer role. 

Upon arrival, the Dodgers tweaked his mechanics, and the results seem to speak for themselves: 3.63 ERA in Seattle and 2.30 ERA in Los Angeles post-trade.

Ted Lilly

Lilly, like Capuano, will be one of the odd men out of the rotation this season, assuming all five original members remain healthy. 

That being said, he will be a long man out of the bullpen because all the rotation spots are spoken for.  He and Capuano would both be available for spot starts, with Aaron Harang probably on his way out of Los Angeles.

Hyun-Jin Ryu

Ryu was the Dodgers’ big offseason addition, and his recent performance was his best outing of the spring. 

His last two spring starts have been encouraging, which is certainly a good sign.  He will be in the rotation come Opening Day.

A.J. Ellis

Ellis is a no-brainer to make the team. 

He was the Dodgers’ starting catcher last season, playing in 133 games.  He will be the starter this year as well.

Tim Federowicz

Federowicz had to win a position battle this spring, and he did. 

He is expected to be A.J. Ellis’ backup.

Luis Cruz

Cruz would have been the starting third baseman this season, but after Hanley Ramirez injured his thumb, manager Don Mattingly will likely use Cruz at shortstop. 

Cruz came out of nowhere last season, and whether or not he is able to repeat his breakout year will be a huge key for the Dodgers.

Mark Ellis

There is no debate here. 

Ellis, who had a 2.9 win season by fangraphs.com's WAR, will be the starting second baseman again this year.

Adrian Gonzalez

Similarly, Gonzalez will undoubtedly be the Dodgers’ first baseman this year. 

He will hit in the middle of the lineup, and his power will be needed to fuel what could be a suspect offense this year.  Gonzalez, who put up his lowest SLG since 2005 last year, will be counted on for a bounce back season.

Jerry Hairston, Jr.

Hairston will be a key member of the Dodgers this year. 

While Hanley Ramirez is on the disabled list, Hairston will be part of the platoon at third base.  Once Ramirez returns, Hairston will return to his originally-intended role: super utility man.

He can play multiple positions, and the Dodgers will need him to do so.

Nick Punto

Similarly to Hairston, Punto is a utility man. 

He can—and will—play multiple infield positions. His positional flexibility will allow Mattingly to get creative with his lineups during the long season.

Hanley Ramirez

After injuring his thumb in the World Baseball Classic, Ramirez will begin the year on the DL. 

He is expected to miss eight weeks

Skip Schumaker

Schumaker is yet another versatile fielder, and he is expected to back up Matt Kemp in center field and Mark Ellis at second base. 

He was also in line to play left field if Carl Crawford began the year on the disabled list, but it doesn’t look like that will happen anymore.

Juan Uribe

Uribe is the third member of the likely platoon at third base that Mattingly will use to replace two months of Hanley Ramirez. 

Despite the lack of fan support and terrible performance the last two years (.557 OPS in 2011 and .542 OPS in 2012), he remains on the team.

Alex Castellanos

Castellanos made his debut last year, and although he was less than impressive, his versatility will likely lead to him being on the Opening Day roster. 

He will be a bench bat and a fourth or fifth outfielder.

Carl Crawford

Crawford is a huge question mark. 

Earlier in the spring, he was doubtful for Opening Day, but recent improvements seem to have him on track to start the year with the team.  For as long as he is healthy and/or productive, he will be the Dodgers’ starting left fielder.

Andre Ethier

Ethier will be the Dodgers’ full-time right fielder this year, as he has been for the last six years. 

He’ll be an important bat in the middle of the lineup, and the Dodgers will be counting on him to be a key member of their outfield.

Matt Kemp

Kemp is a perennial MVP candidate at this point in his career.

After his 2011 season, he is rightfully considered one of the best players in baseball.  His 2012 season was primarily lost to injury, so his comeback this year will be a huge storyline if the Dodgers wish to get to the World Series.